Box opening system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A system for opening boxes includes a box; a perforated seam extending around a body of the box; a cord integral with the perforated seam, the cord having an exposed region accessible from an exterior of the box; pulling the exposed region of the cord tears the perforated seam to separate a section off of the box retaining structural integrity of the box.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for opening cardboard boxes, and more specifically, to a system and method using a cord to open a box through perforations.

2. Description of Related Art

Devices for opening cardboard are well known in the art and are effective means to open a box in order to retrieve its contents. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional pocket knife 101 having a sharp blade 103 and a handle 105 with a receptacle 107 where the sharp blade 103 is housed while not in use. During use, a user holds the handle 105 while the sharp blade 103 cuts through the cardboard. When the user is done with the knife, the sharp blade 103 is returned to the receptacle 107 either by pushing or by a retraction mechanism.

One of the problems commonly associated with the device 101 is that the device can be difficult to use and the sharp blade 103 may leave the box mutilated and no longer usable. For example, the sharp blade 103 may tear the box or cause the cardboard to rip leaving the box no longer usable.

Additionally, a user may accidentally cut him or herself instead of the cardboard with the sharp blade 103, or may hurt him or herself while securing the sharp blade 103 back in to the receptacle 107.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of cardboard opening devices, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a common knife;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the box opening system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the cord being pulled through the perforations;

FIG. 2C is a front view of the perforations torn and the perforated section removed;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the preferred method of use;

FIGS. 4A-4D depicts an alternative embodiment of a box system in accordance with the present application;

FIG. 5 is an unfolded view of a sleeve for use with the system of FIGS. 4A-4D as well as a top cover; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a box system in accordance with the present application.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional cardboard cutting devices. Specifically, the system of the present invention allows users to open boxes with ease and leave the box still in a usable condition. In addition, it eliminates the risk of injury posed by the sharp blade 103 in a conventional pocket knife. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2A-2C depict front views of the box opening system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional cardboard cutting devices.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a box 203, perforations 205, and a cord 207. It should be appreciated that the box can vary in size and material, including cardboard and similar materials. The perforations 205 are located on the box 203 with the cord 207 secured underneath the perforations 205 through means such as glue or tape, or alternatively by being embedded within the material of the box, such as cardboard. The cord 207 is configured to be located in connection with the perforations 205. It should be appreciated that although perforations 205 are shown slightly next to cord 207, this is merely shown for clarity, as the cord and perforations are aligned in reality. It should further be appreciated that the perforations extend entirely around the body of the box, on all four sides of box 203. An alternative embodiment is contemplated to include the perforations being diagonally arranged.

During use, the user pulls the cord 207 via an exposed region 206 which then tears through the perforations 205 and opens the box 203. It is contemplated that that exposed region 206 can be merely a portion of the cord, or alternatively can be a tab composed of an alternative material, such as plastic, rubber, and the like, thereby providing a grip for the user. It is further contemplated that the cord 207 is comprised of material such as thread, but can be comprised of other materials such as nylon, twine, plastic, or the like. While the system containing one cord 207 is the preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments of the system may include more than one cord 207, as well as multiple perforated areas for opening.

FIG. 2B depicts the cord being pulled through and tearing the perforations to open the box 203, as shown with arrow B. The user pulls the cord 207 via the exposed region 206 and tears the perforations 205. The torn perforations leave an open area 209. Once all the perforations 207 are torn, the open area 209 allows the user to access the interior of the box 203.

FIG. 2C depicts the perforations 205 being completely torn by the cord 207, creating a removable section 211. The removable section 211 is then removed from the box 203 and the open area 209 allows for the contents of the box 203 to be fully accessible. The method leaves the box 203 still intact and usable again for purposes such as retail display or storage.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that the perforations 205 allow for easy tearing with the cord 207 and the easy tearing leaves the box still in a usable condition. It is contemplated that the box after opening could be used for displays, such as in a retail setting, or be usable again in the future.

Another unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is the cord 207 eliminates the risk of injury posed by sharp objects conventionally used to open boxes, such as box cutters and knives.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting the preferred method of use of the system. The user grabs hold of the exposed region of the cord 206 and pulls as shown in box 303. The interior region of the cord 207 then tears through the perforations 205, thus opening the box 203 as shown in box 305. The newly torn perforated section then opens the box 203 as shown in box 307. The box 203 is still structurally intact, and can be used for future purposes such as storage or displaying products as shown in box 309.

In FIGS. 4A-4D, an alternative embodiment of a box system 401 is shown. System 401 having a box base 403 and a box top 405 connected via a perforated seam 409. The system includes a tab 407 configured to open the perforated seam 409 to remove a cord 408 and open the box. As shown in FIG. 4D, once the cord 408 is removed, the top 405 can be removed, exposing an interior sleeve 411. The interior sleeve 411 is shown in FIG. 5, having four sections 501, 503, 505, 507 integrally connected, the sleeve being configured to fold into the box body 403. A top 509, which can be a square or rectangular panel, can be placed on top of the sleeve within the box body if desired.

In FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of a box system 601 is shown, having a box body 605 and a box top 603 to be removed via a perforated seam 611 and tab 613. In this embodiment, an L shaped sleeve 607 can be inserted into a side opening 609 and secured in place within the opening.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. A box system, comprising: a box; a perforated seam extending around a body of the box; a cord integral with the perforated seam, the cord having: an exposed region accessible from an exterior of the box; wherein pulling the exposed region of the cord tears the perforated seam to separate off a section of the box retaining structural integrity of the box.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the box is comprised of cardboard.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cord or string is comprised of one of: a thread; a nylon; a twine; and plastic.
 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a sleeve configured to be inserted into the box.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sleeve is L shaped.
 6. A method of opening a box, the method comprising: providing a box composed of a fibrous material; created a perforated seam around a body of the box; integrating a cord with the perforated seam, wherein a portion of the cord is exposed on an exterior of the box; and pulling the cord; wherein the cord tears the box via the perforated seam to separate a section of the box from the body.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: using a section of the box for displaying one or more items.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising: inserting a sleeve into the box. 